He hums to himself. “Not surprising. The elves and the shades have been at war for as long as I’ve been alive. I admit it will take me some getting used to as well.”
I sigh. “She asked me to help with preparations for the Harvest Festival.”
“A good sign you succeeded in endearing yourself to her, then. I hope in the future I can do the same. After all, it’s wrong for me to hold ill will toward my brother’s mate, let alone the queen.”
I run a hand over my skintight nightgown. “So, about the clothing I mentioned?—”
“Can it wait a day or two?” he asks. “Brahm met me in the graveyard to tell me he’d found me a position, but I must start right away.”
“Already?” His brother must truly be glad to have Damien home to have found him something in a matter of hours.
He smirks. “Don’t sound so excited. You are looking at New Stygarde’s latest stable manager.”
“Stable manager! Is caring for horses something you even know how to do?”
He scowls. “We ride rabble beasts here, not horses. They are different from the creatures of your world. And yes, I am competent when it comes to caring for them. I think I’ll find the stables a sufficient challenge to keep me busy.” While his words seem positive, I notice his smile doesn’t reach his eyes. This is not what he was expecting.
“You can’t have wanted this. Stable Manager seems like a poor use of the skills of someone who once was heir to the throne.”
He blows out a deep breath. “Brahm was never a generous man. During the challenge, I told you that story of how his arm was bitten off by the black lake salamander. Do you remember?”
“It’s not something you quickly forget.”
“Taunting me was a favorite pastime of his. He was often jealous of Karyl and me. He felt my father favored me.”
“So, this stable manager thing is a sort of cosmic punishment in his eyes?”
He snorts. “No… Maybe. Honestly, I think Brahm has always felt a bit threatened by me. He can’t start me somewhere with too much power. If I was given access to the lords of Stygarde’s regions, I might show him up.”
“He’s making sure you stay in your place? Is that what you’re telling me?”
Damien gives his head a hard shake. “I’m not going to lie to you. It injures my pride to do this. But the truth is, this is the safest place for us to be right now while we are learning about the changes that have happened in the kingdom. We’ve only been here a day. It will serve us to stay and get our bearings.”
He’s right. We’re both free. We’re both safe. Any position in this kingdom, no matter how temporary, will help us get on our feet. “Sounds great, then. I will wedge myself into one of these dresses and pray to the gods of textiles that the zippers hold until you can get me to a seamstress.”
He kisses me soundly. “I sincerely look forward to seeing you in such a dress.”
“You degenerate.” I laugh.
“How is the magic coming?” He points his chin at my parents’ book.
“It isn’t. Even the easiest of spells remains frustratingly out of reach. I can give myself a nosebleed but can’t light a simple candle.”
His hold on me tightens. “No magic at all?”
“None.”
He kisses my temple, then slowly steps away from me, allowing his touch to linger on my back. “Give it time. There’s no rush.”
“Easy for you to say. I feel gutted, losing the connection to my ancestors.”
His face falls, and he looks at the floor. “I think I can relate more than you might think.”
His family. He just lost his as well. I mentally kick myself and vow to keep my struggles private for a while. At least until he has a chance to grieve.
He wraps his arms around my shoulders and nuzzles my neck. “I have a few minutes this morning. Join me in the bath?” He tilts his head toward the adjoining chamber.
I laugh. “I’d love to. You know, Nevina told me that this was your room growing up. What used to be there, in the shadow box?”
